title: The role of ECT in suicide prevention.
abstract: Suicide is a leading cause of death among psychiatric patients, and a leading cause of death from all causes in people younger than 30 years. The rapid relief of severe depression, mania, and psychosis by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is accompanied by the rapid reduction in suicide drive. Electroconvulsive therapy use is, however, inhibited by fear of electricity, unreasoned prejudice, legislative restrictions, and the limited availability of trained professionals and adequate facilities. This review assesses the experience with ECT in persons with suicide risk and recommends the consideration of ECT in treatment algorithms to reduce suicide rates.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Stony Brook University, Long Island; †Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; and ‡Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kellner
authors.forename: W Vaughn
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: McCall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents